Variable speed power transmission



Nov. 28, 1950 L. E. SHAW 2,532,124

VARIABLE SPEED POWER TRANSMISSION Filed June 15, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1IN VEN TOR.

LOUIS EATON SHAW 9"- 8, 1950 L. E. SHAW 2,532,124

' VARIABLE SPEED POWER mnsmssxou Filed Jun 15, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FlG. 8 l8 LOUIS EATON SHAW INVENTOR.

Nov. 28,- 1950. L. E. SHAW 2,532,124

VARIABLE SPEED POWER TRANSMISSION Filed June 15, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3-FIG. 9

LOUIS EATON SHAW INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED PATIENT '()P' lll 'Clil VARIABLESPEEDPOWER TRANSMISSION :Lfiilis Eaton Shaw, Eastorange, N. J.

Application Jlme "15, 1948, Serial No. 33,127

7 Claims. (01. 74-23017) This invention relates to variable speed powertransmissions andmore narticularly'to a variable pitch single orinultiple-groovev type sheave and the'niechanism by'nie'ans of which-the pitch diameter of the sheave ma "be varied while his in motion. One'oithe objects of theinvention isthe provision of a comparativelysimple, easil manufactiired'rnechanism by means of which the opposedbelt ehgaging'fiahges of the sheaveinay he moved in unison durinrotation of the sheave.

A further object or the invention is the provision ofi'rneans wherehythevariable pitch sheave structure maybe quickly, easily and accuratelyattached to a drivingor driven shaft.

With these and other objects view, as may appear frornthe accompanyingspecification, the invention consists of various features ofconstruction and combination or parts, which will be first described 'inconnection with the accompanying drawings, showing a variable speedpower transmission of aprfeffdforni embodying the invention, and thefeatures forming the invention will bespe'cifically pointed out in theclaims.

' In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a section through "the improved variable pitch sheavestructure with the upper half being a vertical section and the lowerhalf of the view being .a horizontal section, and taken on'line l'lofFigures'Q and 9.

Figure 2 is a cross section'through the sheave structure taken on theline 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the motivating sheave flange.

" Figure 4 is an elevation of the motivating sheave iiange.

Figure 5 'is an elevation of an intermediate sheave flange. Figure 6 isa Cross section through an intermediate sheave fl'ange tLken on the line"6+6 of Figure 5. Figure? is an levation of another-of the intermediatesheave flanges.

'Figuret is a crosssection takenon the line Figure!) is an end view ofthe improved variable speed power transmission with the enclosinghousing "and adjusting block removed.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

pered, as clearly shown'in Figure 1 'of'the drawings, for fitting theouter tapered surface of "a quickly detachable hub structure 3. Thequickly detachable hub structure 4 may be of any approved constructionsuch as that disclosed in Patent No. 2,269,821 issued January 13, 1942.The quickly detachable hub structure 4 permits quick, easy and accurateattachment of the main sleeve 1 and consequently of the variable pitchsheave structure to either a driving or a driven shaft.

The main sleeve I has the sheave .forming flanges i 2, I3, it, [5, It,and I! mounted thereon and arranged in oppose'clpairs'with the angledface it of one flange facing the angled face of the adjacent flange toform the substantially V- shaped grooved sheaves over which the belts.(not shown except one at A) travel. While in the drawings three pairsof sheave forming flanges are shown, it is to be understood that anynumber of pairs of such flanges may be employed without departingfromthe spirit of the invention.

:All of the sheave flanges 12,13, M, 1.5, [in-and ll have digitatedsleeves l9 formed thereonthat intermesh in pairs and bear directly uponthe main sleeve l. Each digitated sleeve i9 has two digitations -28thereon andall-of these digitations are -.provided with keyvvays 2.!which receive keys 22 carried by the main sleeve 1 to prevent theirrotation relative :to the .main sheave hut permit them to befreelyshiftedaxially of the sleeve -.-l.

The keys 22 are undercut .--for a part of their length as shownat 23 soas to form with the keyways :24' in the main sleeve 1,, passages :forflow of a lubricant. The lubricant flows from the passages formed by theundercut part .ofthe keys through-openings 25in the keys :22 -to.lubri-'cate the inner surfaces of the digitated'sleeves I9 of thevarious'flanges where'they engage the main sleeve 1. The lubricant isdelivered tothe passages formed by the keyways t2s and underout portions23 through radiating passages =25 and a longitudinally extending passage.27 which opens out through the-enclosing housing 1?) :as

intothe flange It asshown-at 2c andlhavetheir heads seated in counterbores 3! formed in 'thetflange l2. The flanges'l3,'l5 andiliareconnected bybolts 32 which are threaded' into 'the flange I3 andhave their heads 33 seated;.in:.-counter bores 34 formed in the flange1.7.

tlhe flanges 1'4 and I6 have annular recesses 35 out in their flat faceswhich receive the extreme ends of the digitated sleeves of the flangesi2 and M, respectively, and the flanges i3 and have annular recesses cutin their flat faces which receive the extreme ends of the digitatedsleeves of the flanges l5 and i1 respectively, to provide interlockingof the flanges.

The flange I6 has an axially-extending actuating extension 36 formedthereon which is provided with a plurality of teeth 3'! spaced to form,in efiect, a rack, and the flange I! has an actuating extension 38attached thereto in any suitable manner such as by the bolt or bolts 39.The actuating extension 38 has a plurality of teeth 40 formed on itsinner edge which are spaced to form a rack corresponding to the rackformed on the actuating extension 35.

An actuator structure 4! is provided for moving the flanges of eachcooperating pair of flanges in unison and in opposite directions to varythe pitch diameter of the sheaves. This actuator structure 4| includesan actuating head 42, the opposite ends of which are arcuate, being cutfrom a definitely located predetermined center indicated at 43, andthese arcuate ends have teeth 44 thereon which mesh with the teeth 37and 40. The actuating head 42 is journaled at its ends and mounted forpivotal movement between the arms 45 of a yoke 45. The base arm 41 ofthe yoke 46 extends into a recess 48 formed in the actuating block 49. Aroller is carried by the base arm 41 of the yoke 46 for engagement withthe sides of the recess 48.

The actuating block 49 is rotatably mounted upon an adjusting stem 5|for axial movement with adjustment of the stem and for the purpose ofreducing friction. Roller or ball bearings 52 are placed between theactuating block 49 and the adjusting stem or screw 51. The adjustingstem or screw 5i is threadably mounted in a suitable adjusting block 53so that by rotation of the adjusting screw 5! the actuating block 49will be moved longitudinally of the axis of the main sleeve l and in somoving will rock or pivotally move the yoke 46, as indicated by thedotted line positions of the roller 50 in Figure 1 of the drawings. Thepivotal movement of the yoke 45 and actuating head 42 will move theflange i6 and all of the corresponding flanges connected thereto bymeans of the bolts 28 in one direction and will move the flange I! andall of the corresponding flanges connected thereto by means of the bolts32 in the opposite direction for the purpose of varying the pitchdiameters of the various sheaves formed by the cooperating pairs offlanges.

The housing in is attached to the actuating extension 38 by suitablebolts with a portion of its perimeter seated in an annular recess 55formed in the flange l! and it encloses the actuating structure 4|. Thehousing i0 is secured to the end of the main sleeve I by suitable boltsnot shown, and is rotatable relative to the adjusting block 53, rotateswith the flange ll, etc., and has roller or ball bearings 51 between itand the block 53 for reducing friction.

Either the block 53 or the adjusting screw 5| is held against rotation,for speed adjusting purposes.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thespecific construction or arrangement of parts shown, but that they maybe widely modified within the invention defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a variable speed drive, a pair of axially in a plane parallel tothe axis of said flanges,

means on said flanges intermeshing with said actuator head to move theflanges axially in opposite directions upon pivotal movement of saidyoke, an actuator block adjustable axially of said flanges, and meansestablishing connection between said yoke and said actuator block forpivotally moving said actuating head upon axial movement of saidactuator block.

3. In a variable speed drive, a pair of axially movable cooperatingsheave-forming flanges, an actuator including an actuating head and acarrying yoke, means for pivotally moving said yoke in a plane parallelto the axis of said flanges, opposed actuating extensions on saidflanges, said actuating extensions and said actuating head provided withinter-engaging toothed sections for moving the flanges in oppositedirections upon actuating movement of said actuating head, an actuatorblock adjustable axially of said flanges, and means establishingconnection between said yoke and said actuator block for pivotallymoving said actuating head upon axial movement of the actuator block.

4. In a variable speed drive, a main sleeve, an attaching hub detachablycarried by said main sleeve for attaching the sleeve to a shaft, twocooperating sheave flanges slidably mounted on said main sleeve,digitated sleeves formed on said flanges and mounted on said main sleevefor axial movement thereon, means for keying the digitated sleeves ofsaid flanges to said main sleeve for rotation therewith, an actuatingextension on one of said flanges, an actuating extension on the other ofsaid flanges, an actuator including an actuating head and a carryingyoke, means for pivotally moving said yoke in a plane parallel to theaxis of said main sleeve, and means on said actuating extensionsinter-engaging with said actuating head to move said flanges axially inopposite directions upon pivotal movement of said yoke.

5. In a variable speed drive, a main sleeve, an attaching hub detachablycarried by said main sleeve for attaching the sleeve to a shaft, twocooperating sheave flanges slidably mounted on said main sleeve,digitated sleeves formed on said flanges and mounted on said main sleevefor axial movement thereon, means for keying the digitated sleeves ofsaid flanges to said main sleeve for rotation therewith, an actuatingextension on one of said flanges, an actuating extension on the other ofsaid flanges, an actuator including an actuating head and a carryingyoke, and means on said actuating extensions inter-engaging with saidactuating head to move said flanges axially in opposite directions uponpivotal movement of said yoke, an actuator block adjustable axially ofsaid flanges, and means establishing connection between said yoke andsaid actuator block for pivotally moving said yoke and actuating headupon axial movement of said actuator block.

6. In a variable speed drive, a main sleeve, an attaching hub detachablycarried by said main sleeve for attaching a sleeve to a shaft, twocooperating sheave flanges slidably mounted on said main sleeve,digitated sleeves formed on said flanges and mounted on said main sleevefor axial movement thereon, means for keying the digitated sleeves tosaid main sleeve for rotation therewith, an actuating extension on oneflange, an actuator including an actuating head mounted between saidactuating extension and one digitation of the mating flange,inter-engaging means on said actuating extension, said one digitationand said actuating head whereby the flanges will be moved in oppositedirections upon pivotal movement of the actuator, a housing attached tosaid actuating extension and enclosing said actuator, and an adjustingscrew carried by and rotatable independently of said housing andadjustable axially relative to the housing for pivotally moving saidactuator.

7. In a variable speed drive, a main sleeve, an attaching hub detachablycarried by said main sleeve for attaching a sleeve to a shaft, twocooperating sheave flanges slidably mounted on said main sleeve,digitated sleeves formed on said flanges and mounted on said main sleevefor axial movement thereon, means for keying the digitated sleeves tosaid main sleeve for rotation therewith, an actuating extension on oneflange, an actuator including an actuating head mounted between saidactuating extension and one digitation of the mating flange,inter-engaging means on said actuating extension, said one digitationand said actuating head whereby the flanges will be moved in oppositedirections upon pivotal movement of the actuator, a housing attached tosaid actuating extension and enclosing said actuator, an actuating blockadjustable axially of the housing, said actuator and said actuatingblock interconnected whereby said actuator will be pivotally movedrelative to the actuator block upon axial movement of the actuatorblock.

LOUIS EATON SHAW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,262,197 Otto Nov. 11, 19412,269,821 Kemphert Jan. 13, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date462,625 Great Britain Mar. 12, 1937

